House & Home November 2015

Vol. 1 Iss. 6NOVEMBER 2015

“I have to save this house!”House Rescue

ʻAmerican Pickersʼ in Wellsville

Local contractors talk

remodeling

Habitat for Humanity building

second home in Bradford

How to make older homes more energy

effi cient

NOVEMBER 19, 20152 House & HomeTHE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

3NOVEMBER 19, 2015House & Home THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

Habitat for Humanity McKean County has embarked on a $70,000 capital campaign to build a second house in Brad-

ford — this time on Congress Street.Offi cials recently unveiled plans that call for a single-family,

one-story home with at least three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a possible partial basement as well as a large yard in which children can play.

The goal is to break ground in the spring, with the family moving in during autumn or early winter, Habitat for Humanity McKean County President Sami Placer said.

Organization members are excited, motivated and ready to build the second home, she added.

The campaign kicked off Sept. 1, seeking donations from area organizations. In a few weeks, Habitat offi cials will send letters to hundreds of local residents for fi nancial help, Placer said.

“It’s not a hand-out as much as we consider it a hand-up,” she said. “They’re paying for the home, but at a 0 percent interest. The loan is through us pretty much, and they pay us a stipend — a payment for the house. Some people choose 20 years, some people 25, 30, but we work with them based on their income.”

As part of the Habitat home construction, the family puts in “sweat equity,” or work on the home, board member Harry Solarek said. Other family members can pitch in, too, he said.

“If they’re not capable (of working on the home), they can serve lunches, they can hand out lemonade to workers,” Solarek said.

In addition, individuals are able to volunteer at events such as Pumpkin Fest in Bradford that would count toward their “sweat equity” hours.

The Congress Street project is also sure to bring about many other volunteers, in addition to the Bradford Area High School vocational technology program.

The Habitat’s primary objectives are simple, decent and af-

fordable, Solarek said. “I think back to our fi rst person that we had in our fi rst Habi-

tat house,” Placer added. “And she started out as a single mom who needed a home, and she was working really hard and to the point where she worked hard enough that she got married, had another child and moved to a better job, to a better home. And we propelled her to a better place, and we gave her an op-portunity she might not have had before.”

The fi rst home is on the corner of Interstate Parkway and Willard Avenue in Bradford.

“It’s oddly shaped, but it’s gorgeous inside. It’s really a beautiful home,” Placer said.

But why has Bradford been selected again for a Habitat home? The city has available land, Placer said.

“That’s where our largest base of support is, too,” Solarek said.

Although the 6-year-old, local organization has not built a home in a few years, offi cials have kept busy. The Habitat has focused on renovation projects, including kitchen fl oors and steps, according to Solarek and Placer.

And in August, the local Habitat received $2,870 raised from the sale of tickets sold at 17 Valu Home Centers, one of which is in Bradford. Individuals bought tickets at Valu Home Centers for a 2015 Ford Focus. Amy Harten of Bradford won the vehicle.

For the local Habitat, money received has to go toward a renovation or a home build, Solarek said.

Those looking to donate to the organization can visit http://mckeanhabitat.com/.

Habitat for Humanity building second home in Bradford

By Alex DavisSpecial to House & Home


R esidential remodeling jobs can be burdensome for home-owners. Luckily for Olean-area residents, many local con-

tractors are available to help ease that pain.Carm Mikolajczyk of Rick Mikolajczyk Contracting in Olean

says contracting jobs can be laborious processes, especially if they include roofi ng.

“Roofi ng is one of the hardest jobs,” Mikolajczyk says, ex-plaining that to complete a roofi ng job, contractors need pro-fessional insurance.

Tearing down walls can also prove to be tricky, as the wall in question may be load-bearing, according to Mikolajczyk.

“If it is load-bearing, you have to be very careful or you could bring down your roof with your wall,” she says.

For remodeling jobs, architects are helpful for residents, Mikolajczyk says.

“You can get your own architect to draw up what you want,” she says, “Your blueprint gives a list of materials and shows (the contractor) what the client wants.”

John Beam of Artisan Contracting of WNY in Olean agrees with Mikolajczyk.

“Architects help protect the contractor,” Beam says. “The architect is ultimately responsible for structural integrity.”

For a residential remodeling job, Beam says picking the right person for the remodel can be tough. He recommends going through the Better Business Bureau, fi nding ratings of lo-cal contractors and fi nally getting two or three references from previous clients of the contractor.

“Find a contractor with a physical location,” Beam recom-mends. “You don’t just want a guy with a truck and a ladder, so you don’t expose yourself and your home to undue liability from faulty workmanship. … You have to have somebody knowledge-able.”

When remodeling, homeowners should be sure to obtain a building permit, workers’ compensation and liability insurance, Beam says.

“Say there’s a fi re while remodeling,” he says. “That’s cov-ered under liability insurance.”

Contractor creativity is pretty limited during residential re-models, according to Beam.

“My creativity isn’t necessary,” he says. “Essentially, it’s (the client’s) lips to my hands.”

Mikolajczyk said that while remodeling can seem simple when portrayed on reality television shows, the process itself can be laborious.

“A lot of homeowners do their own repairs, but when work-ing on roofi ng, electric, plumbing or heating, you should get a professional,” she says.

Local contractors talk remodeling

By Diana McelfreshSpecial to House & Home

Our area’s dedicated realtors offer you many properties some of which are highlighted in

House & Home Spotlights. Call an agent today.






Sue Payne confesses to being something of a “house rescuer” when it comes to fi nding a

beautiful home in distress.In fact, one of her fi rst thoughts upon getting

inside a three-story house at 35 Temple St. was, “I have to save this house!”

Frank Tyler of Westons Mills Lumber built the home circa 1895. He was active in the Masonic Temple, and his wife, Mary, was a member of East-ern Star. An article in the Bolivar Breeze in 1895 described the house as a “skyscraper” because of its shape and height and noted that it would be built on the Warden house lot. What would later become Temple Street was then called Green Street.

Sue Payne and her husband, Dr. Richard Payne, who own and operate Haskell Valley Veterinary Clinic, purchased the house in 2011 and immedi-ately started work on the roof, which was leaking. Payne had worked in older homes before, includ-ing rentals the couple still own in Portville, and she learned that she enjoys doing many tasks herself.

A previous owner removed asbestos from the basement and tore out plaster and lathe materials.

“They did all that hard work, so I got the house stripped to the studs,” she said. “They loved the house, too, and left all the woodwork intact.”

The woodwork is one of the defi ning character-istics of the house, with rich chestnut used for the stair banisters, a carved archway and fi replace on the main fl oor and other woodwork. Wood on the second fl oor is from fi r trees.

“Legend has it that Mr. Tyler, who was in the business, would not allow any knots in the wood and stood at the door inspecting material as it came in,” Payne said. “I’ve cleaned and scrubbed a lot of wood so far, and I can’t fi nd any knots, so it may be true.”

The combination of wood and ample light in the house gives off a golden glow throughout the open rooms.

By Deb WuethrichSpecial to House & Home

House Rescuecontinues on page 10

Portville house being restored to former

grandeur

Deb Wuethrich/Olean Times HeraldSue Payne stands next to a carved archway of burnished wood suggests an earlier grandeur in the house and will be restored on the main fl oor.


Payne also enlists the assistance of a family friend, electri-cal contractor Scott Kincaid, who co-owns Kel-kur Electric in Olean.

“Scott does all the dry wall,” she said. “He’s fussy and par-ticular, so he does a very good job.”

Payne also relies on Kincaid and other contractors to guide her when she works on the house herself.

“If I do it wrong, they’ll tell me, even if I have to start over,” she said. “I’m learning as I go.”

While her husband has assisted with specifi c projects, in-cluding recent use of the table saw, his busy vet practice limits his contribution. Sue Payne manages the veterinary offi ce, but she said she spends most evenings and weekends on the house—along with most of her paycheck.

They purchased the home for approximately $56,000 and will have an estimated $200,000 invested by completion. The third fl oor was completed fi rst and is now a well-lit apartment

House Rescuecontinued from page 9

continues on next page


with high windows, two bedrooms, an open living space and a small kitchen. The Paynes’ daughter, Kimberly, currently resides there.

“It’s nice to have someone on the premises, and it gives me a place to take a break,” Payne said. “I’ll go up, and she’ll give me a cup of coffee.”

The daughter’s friends who have come to visit are im-pressed with the birds-eye view and can’t wait to see the rest of the house fi nished.

Closets on the second fl oor are being converted into bath-rooms connected to bedrooms for a bed-and-breakfast called Enchanted Valley Inn, which Payne hopes to open next year sometime. The rooms are spacious, several with leaded and stained glass windows and window seat possibilities. The rooms will be named for famous authors such as Mark Twain and C.S. Lewis.

The Paynes went before Portville’s Building Use Committee for a variance, which was approved, to open the bed-and-breakfast.

“We’ll try it and see if it fl ies,” Payne said.The main fl oor will have an old-fashioned parlor and large

kitchen in addition to its entryway, where stairs climb toward the sky. There are three sets of pocket doors that Sue said “needed a little love,” but they all work. A set of servant stairs also fl anks the back of the house.

Floors are parquet with inlaid designs that are different in every room. Payne is looking forward to how they will look after the work is done and the beautiful fl oors are cleaned.

Payne is continuing her research on the house, which she believes to be a Craftsman or Queen Anne, and is trying to fi nd out who the architect was. She hopes to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which will not only provide property tax advantages, but also potentially bring guests to the inn that are interested in staying at historic landmarks. She’s sent photos to an offi ce in Syracuse and has been encouraged about the possibility of being listed, but more specifi c history is

needed to complete the process.Payne hopes to tie the inn together with local tourism.“I have a lot of ideas,” she said. Payne’s goal is to also get the building connected with the

area’s river trail and the Pfeiffer Nature Center, and she even wants to provide box lunches and agri-tourism connected to the family’s 400-acre farm. The inn would also use local products and focus on New York-produced goods.

“This is an amazing house, and I have big plans,” she said. “Maybe in seven years or so, it will all be up and running.”


Earlier this fall, the former Mather Homestead on North Main Street in Wellsville became something of a sensation when

it was featured on the popular cable television show “American Pickers.”

The stars of the History channel show, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, “picked” the property this past spring in taping for the show, and the segment was included in the season premiere in October.

Barbara Cobb, owner of the Mather Homestead, which she had inherited from her relative, Barbara Williams, had reached out to the producers of “American Pickers.” After producers had scouted out the site, it was selected from among more than 70 potential sites in upstate New York.

Highlights of the “Pickers” segment at the Mather Home-stead included Wolfe buying a vintage bicycle, which he found in the carriage house behind the home. The bicycle had been ridden by Barbara Williams, an heiress whose family members had lived in the house for three generations.

The Pickers also checked out the 1937 Cord 812 convert-ible, the beautiful, rare automobile owned by Williams. The Cord, in original condition and owned by Williams since she was 17, was one of the items on the property that drew “Ameri-can Pickers” to Wellsville.

“Mike and Frank loved the car, but did not make an of-fer,” Cobb said. “The price is set on the Cord and there was no bartering.”

The pickers moved on fi nding an elephant lampshade, painted by Tony Sarg. Sarg was an artist and designer who had created the fi rst balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He had painted murals for a restaurant in Cleveland owned by Williams’ father. The Pickers contacted Danielle Colby Cushman, familiar to regular viewers of the show as their home-base contact who “directs” their travels and connects them with experts on certain items.

“They had Danielle call a ‘Tony Sarg expert,’ (a man named Raphael) and he described the wonders and talents of Tony Sarg and loved the murals and elephant — especially the el-ephant,” Cobb said.

In all, Cobb said the day was exhausting, but she particular-ly enjoyed a lunchtime break at Texas Hot, during which Wolfe

talked a great deal about his television experiences — and the explosion of what he called “artifactual transactional television” shows on cable.

Adding to his already hectic life, Wolfe is now working on two new shows, sold to HTV, that tap into the explosion of real estate-related and home renovation shows.

“Nashville Flip” will star the house as the character. It is about who built the house, when was it built, where did the ma-terials come from and what the neighborhood like.

“‘It is not about tearing it apart and making 50 grand,’” Wolfe said to Cobb.

The other show is “Saving America,” about people who at some point in their life decide to move back home to a small town. They left home, went to college, got married and now want to raise their children where they were raised, around fam-ily. The show will feature couples in their later 20s and early 30s facing the challenges of being fi rst-time home buyers, employ-ment, schools and lifestyle in their small towns.

“Mike commented that Wellsville would not be a good choice for that show,” Cobb said, “because he was impressed at what a prosperous town Wellsville is, with a strong main street, compared to towns he has seen across the country.”

ʻAmerican Pickersʼ search for treasures in Wellsville

Photo Submitted“American Pickers” stars Frank Fritz (left) and Mike Wolfe (right) are shown with Barbara Cobb, owner of the Mather Homestead in Wellsville, and her son David. The “American Pickers” show featuring the Mather Homestead premiered in October.


Milestones, Anniversaries, and Legacies


Column #1300, written in late December 2011, was the 25th anniversary col-umn for “Rinker on Collectibles”. Writing 1,300 weekly columns without missing a deadline required a major commitment. At the time, I seriously questioned if I had the desire and fortitude to continue.

After wrestling briefl y with the question of what is the lifetime of a weekly col-umn, I decided to continue. My reasons were twofold. First, I wanted to continue analyzing and interpreting the digital revolution that still impacts the trade. Second, many of the traditional collectors were reaching an advanced age. During the next decade, many of these collections will re-enter the secondary market. What impact would the Great Recession and changes in the collecting focus of the antiques and collectibles trade have on the value of these collections?

I set a goal of 1,500 columns. Once I reached that milestone, I would revisit the future of “Rinker on Collectibles.” When I wrote “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1301, that decision was almost four years in the future. The future is now. This is “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1500.

It is a milestone column, one of those numerical columns, such as 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 that means more to the writer than to his/her readers. It does not signify an anniversary. “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1560 will mark the col-umn’s 30th anniversary.

When I wrote the “Rinker on Collectibles” columns commemorating the 20th anniversary column, I refl ected back on the changes that transpired in the previous 20 years. Column #1300 chronicled the additional changes in the intervening fi ve

years.[Author’s Aside #1: Those readers who are unfamiliar with my 20th and 25th

anniversary columns can read them on the “Rinker on Collectibles Special Series Column” URL on www.harryrinker.com<http://www.harryrinker.com>. I have asked Dana Morykan, my friend, webmaster for www.harryrinker.com<http://www.harryrinker.com>, and “Rinker on Collectibles” proofreader for more than 20 years, to add Columns #1040 and #1042 to the 20th-year series and Column #1300 to the 25th-year series to provide a fuller overview.]

I checked “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1000 to see if I did anything special. I did not. It was a text column devoted to the question of whether one can own too much stuff. I argued in favor of the negative. While I still would take the same position, my own personal experience has raised doubts. Ten years ago, I had no thoughts of getting rid of anything. Five years ago, I had to face the fact that there was no way I could move everything I owned to a new home in Michigan. I have watched almost two-thirds of my things fi nd homes with new owners over the past two and one-half years. Today, I am organizing what remains as the fi rst step to cataloging and creating a disposal plan, not for me (although it may come to that) but for Linda should something happen to me.

[Author’s Aside #2: I recently celebrated my 74th birthday, neither a milestone nor an anniversary. However, the older one gets, the more every birthday seems like a milestone. The Germans treat every fi fth birthday after 65 as an anniversary. Having attended a few raucous 70th, 80th, and 85th German birthday parties, I appreciate the merit of this approach. The celebrant pays for the party, not my inter-

By Harry L. RinkerHarry L. Rinker, LLC



pretation of what should occur. Unlike my European German friends, Pennsylvania Germans, my ancestors, are somewhat thrifty, a polite term for cheap. I am not convinced this is how I want to spend my money when I turn 75.]

As I get older, I fi nd myself thinking more and more about my legacy. Linda argues that I should have thought about it much earlier in life. One cannot undo the past. A person is who he/she is.

My “Rinker on Collectibles” column is just one of my many written antiques and collectibles legacies. As I consolidate my paper fi les in an effort to decide what to save and what to discard, I am astonished by the number of articles, columns, newsletters, and reports I have written over the past 40 years. Many articles, col-umns, and reports appeared in trade publications that no longer exist.

I recently found a fi le containing the hardcopy for No. 30 through 39 of “The Rinker Report,” that appeared in “Collectors News” in the 1990s. “The Rinker Re-port” contained a “What’s Hot, What’s Not” section that “reported and commented about antiques and collectibles categories that have been traded during the last several months” and two think pieces, these in addition to my thoughts on “Rinker on Collectibles.”

Currently, there are four completely full fi le drawers containing hardcopies of my articles, columns, newsletters, and reports. This is insuffi cient draw space, especially if I make hard copies of the internet blogs I wrote for several different websites. I estimate there is enough additional material to fi ll at least another full fi le cabinet that I do not own nor for which I have space.

The above does not include my book fi les. As I went through my material, I made the diffi cult decision to discard all book drafts, proofs, and fi nal blue lines (the fi nal check before publishing). I applied the “Who Will Care” criteria, a question any collector or accumulator is loath to ask.

When considering the “Who Will Care” criteria in respect to the fi les contain-ing my articles, columns, newsletters, and reports, I made a different decision. This is a legacy I do not want to die. Such a statement sounds selfi sh. It is. I take pride in what I have and still hope to contribute to the understanding of how the antiques and collectibles marketplace functions.

A paper legacy is very different from an object legacy. Object life is measured in generations, even centuries. Although I question extra value being assigned to any object because it was once part of one of my collections, I understand the potential marketing sale value. I recently decided to sell a collection of Continental currency I accumulated in the 1970s and 1980s. After meeting with George Cuhaj, Vice Presi-dent of Cataloging and Consignor Relations for Archives International Auction, I consigned the notes to AIA. Much to my surprise, the lots were listed as “The Harry Rinker Collection of Colonial Era Banknotes.”

Paper legacy has a much shorter lifetime. There is a limit to how much ephemera can survive, although owners of large under and above ground storage facilities might argue to the contrary. The internet “cloud” increases the possibilities exponentially.

The diffi culty is that I am a member of the generations who lived the major-ity of their lifetime prior to the arrival of the digital age. I do not trust the cloud, perhaps because I have read one too many stories focusing on electronic warfare. I am a hardcopy guy. I want to hold the paper in my hand.

Further, most paper legacies have limited to no fi nancial value. Their intel-lectual property value is directly related to the “who will care” test. In 100 years, who will care about the writing legacy of a person who tracked, analyzed, and interpreted changes in the antiques and collectibles trade? No academician, that is for certain. Those historians who study antiques and collectibles are object focused. The antiques and collectibles trade as a business had no historiography.

When Rinker Enterprises, Inc., was headquartered at the former Vera Cruz (Pennsylvania) Elementary School, a sign on one of the hallway bulletin boards read: “He who dies with the biggest pile wins.” The assumption was that the pile would keep getting bigger.

As one gets older, the emphasis is no longer on making the pile bigger but ques-tioning what is achieved by making the pile bigger. When does one reach a point where enough is enough - what needs to be said, has been said? I fi nd myself asking this question with greater frequency than I did in the past.

What I still do is fun, my principal criteria for continuing. “Rinker on Col-lectibles” will continue with the goal of reaching Column #1560, a much shorter window of time than the jump from Column #1300 to Column #1500.

To achieve this goal, I must write 30 more think piece text columns. My list of potential text columns stands at 12. I need 18 more ideas. Upon what aspect, question, or change in the antiques and collectibles trade would you like me to pon-tifi cate? Email your suggestions to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. And, thanks for reading “Rinker on Collectibles.”

[Author’s Aside #3: I used pontifi cate because some in the trade have credited me with more powers than I actually have. In reality, I am just another voice crying in the wilderness.]

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the twentieth and twenty-fi rst centu-ries. Selected letters will be answered in this column. Harry cannot pro-vide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Point Court SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. You also can e-mail your questions to [email protected]. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.

You can listen and participate in WHATCHA GOT?, Harry’s antiques and collectibles radio call-in show, on Sunday mornings between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eastern Time. If you cannot fi nd it on a station in your area, WHATCHA GOT? streams live on the Internet at www.gcnlive.com.


Older properties tend to have a sense of charm that newly built homes may lack. Perhaps it’s their lived-in feel or de-

sign elements that remind homeowners of yesteryear that make older homes so popular among home buyers.

What older homes have in character they may lack in mod-ern amenities. For example, whereas many homes are now built with energy effi ciency in mind, older homes may not be so eco-friendly. Fortunately, there are many ways for homeowners who love their older homes to keep that love going strong while making their homes more energy effi cient at the same time.

• Check for leaks and plug any you fi nd. Homes may de-velop air leaks over time, and such leaks allow air to infi ltrate the home. When that occurs, homeowners instinctively turn up the thermostat in winter to combat the cold air getting in. Come summertime, those same homeowners will run their air condi-tioners on a higher setting in an effort to stay comfortable when

hot air is creeping through the cracks. Rather than adjusting the temperature inside, fi x any sources of air infi ltration you fi nd. Run your hand along doorways and windows to determine if any drafts are coming through. Older homes may also develop cracks in bricks, around the foundation and in siding or stucco. Seal any areas where you feel air infi ltrating your home, which will save money, reduce your energy consumption and make your older home more effi cient.

• Add insulation. Many older homes are poorly insulated. But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, adding insulation can reduce energy costs by as much as 50 percent. Installing insulation can be tricky, especially if insulation was not originally included in your home, as is some-times the case with older homes. Insulation can become damp and prove ineffective if installed improperly. Damp insulation

How to make older homes more energy effi cient



Cattaraugus County

Allegany-Limestone Central School District3131 Five Mile RoadAllegany, NY 14706716-375-6600

Cattaraugus-Little Valley CentralSchool District207 Rock City StreetLittle Valley, NY 14755716-938-9155

Ellicottville Central School District5873 Route 219Ellicottville, NY 14731716-699-2368

Franklinville Central School District31 North Main StreetFranklinville, NY 14737716-676-8029

Gowanda Central School District10674 Prospect StreetGowanda, NY 14070716-532-3325

Hinsdale Central School District3701 Main StreetHinsdale, NY 14743716-557-2227

Olean City School District410 West Sullivan StreetOlean, NY 14760716-375-8018

Portville Central School District500 Elm StreetPortville, NY 14770716-933-7141

Randolph Central School District18 Main StreetRandolph, NY 14772716-358-6161

Salamanca City School District50 Iroquois DriveSalamanca, NY 14779716-945-2403

Southern Tier Catholic School andArchbishop Walsh Academy208 North 24th StreetOlean NY 14760 716.372.8122

West Valley Central School District5359 School StreetWest Valley, NY 14171716-942-3293

Yorkshire-Pioneer CentralSchool District12125 County Line RoadYorkshire, NY 14173716-492-9304

Allegany County

Alfred-Almond Central School District6795 Route 21Almond, NY 14804607-276-2981

Andover Central School District31-35 Elm StreetAndover, NY 14806607-478-8491

Belfast Central School District1 King StreetBelfast, NY 14711585-365-9940

Bolivar-Richburg Central School District100 School StreetBolivar, NY 14715585-928-2561

Canaseraga Central School District4-8 Main StreetCanaseraga, NY 14822607-545-6421

Cuba-Rushford Central School District5476 Route 305Cuba, NY 14727585-968-1556

Fillmore Central School District104 Main StreetFillmore, NY 14735585-567-2251

Friendship Central School District46 West Main StreetFriendship, NY 14739716-973-3534

Genesee Valley Central School District1 Jaguar DrBelmont, NY 14813585-268-7900

Scio Central School District3968 Washington StreetScio, NY 14880585-593-5510

Wellsville Central School District126 West State StreetWellsville, NY 14895585-596-2170

Whitesville Central School District692 Main StreetWhitesville, NY 14897607-356-3301

Pennsylvania School Districtson page 18

NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS

also may contribute to mold growth and rot in the home’s framing. Older homes may be lacking adequate insulation around attics, crawl spaces, basements, heating and cooling ducts, and water pipes. Cover your water heater with an insu-lated water heater blanket so the heater retains more heat and consumes less energy to heat the water.

• Stay on top of your home. Much like older vehicles, older homes require a little extra TLC on the part of homeown-ers. Don’t allow your home to fall into disrepair. Even if your energy bills are not on the rise, inspect windows and doors to make sure they are closing tightly, as over time such seemingly minor problems can add up to substantial energy loss. Don’t forget to clean gutters and downspouts, removing debris that can add up and lead to water damage that may ultimately compromise the effectiveness of your home’s insulation.

• Book an energy audit. Energy audits, which may be of-fered free of charge by your utility company, can help detect any additional areas where a home may be using energy inef-fi ciently. Even if you have to pay for an audit, the cost savings if any additional ineffi ciencies are discovered will likely add up to more than the cost of the audit.

Older homes are attractive to many homeowners, who can take several steps to make sure their homes are operating as

Replacing old or inadequate insulation is one way that homeowners can make older homes more energy effi cient.


McKean County, Pa.

Bradford Area School District150 Lorana Ave.P.O. Box 375Bradford, Pa. 16701 |814-362-3841

Otto-Eldred School District143 R.L. Sweitzer DriveDuke Center, Pa. 16729814-817-1380

Smethport Area School District414 S. Mechanic St.Smethport, Pa. 16749-1522814-887-5543

Kane Area School District400 W. Hemlock Ave.Kane, Pa. 16735814-837-9570

Port Allegany School District87 Clyde Lynch DrivePort Allegany, Pa. 16743814-642-2590

Potter County, Pa.

Austin Area School District138 Costello Ave.Austin, Pa. 16720(814) 647-8603

Coudersport Area School District 698 Dwight St.Coudersport, Pa. 16915 814-274-9480

Northern Potter School District745 Northern Potter RoadUlysses, Pa. 16948814-848-7506

Oswayo Valley Area School District277 Oswayo St.Shinglehouse, Pa. 16748814-597-7175

Cameron County, Pa.

Cameron County School District601 Woodland Ave.Emporium, Pa. 15834814-486-4000

PA SCHOOL DISTRICTS


Buying a home for the fi rst time is an exciting period in a per-son’s life. Deciding to buy a home often indicates buyers are

ready to establish fi rm roots in a community where they can see themselves living for years to come.

The process of buying a home is rarely easy, and fi rst-time buyers may feel overwhelmed at times. Such feelings are per-fectly normal and felt by fi rst-time buyers regardless of their budgets or home preferences. But there are a few ways to make buying a home more enjoyable than it is nerve-wracking.

• Examine your fi nances. The fi rst step toward buying a home has nothing to do with deciding if you prefer a craftsman- or Tudor-style home. Before you even begin your search for a home, carefully examine your fi nances to determine how much is coming in and how much is going out of your household each month. Figure out how much debt you are currently carry-ing, be it student loan, automotive, consumer or any other types of debt. Order a credit report so you can see how prospective lenders are likely to see you, and address any errors you fi nd on the report before meeting with any lenders. Peruse past bank statements to track your spending habits, looking for areas where you might be able to scale back if need be.

• Be prepared when visiting lenders. Prospective borrowers can make the home-buying process go smoothly by having all of the necessary documentation ready when visiting potential lenders. Many mortgage lenders will want to see some recent pay stubs (from both borrowers if buying with a spouse or partner), a couple years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your recent bank statements. You can always call ahead and ask lenders what they need to see when applying for a loan. Having these materials ready in advance means you will spend less time at the bank and more time fi nding the right home for you.

• Secure fi nancing before you begin house hunting. Many fi rst-time home buyers might not realize the benefi ts of secur-ing fi nancing before they begin looking for a home. Mortgage preapproval lets buyers know how much a bank will loan them, meaning they won’t spend time looking at homes they can’t af-ford. In addition, preapproval means buyers won’t lose out on their dream homes as they scramble to secure fi nancing after

making an offer.• Work with a local real estate agent. Real estate agents are

an invaluable resource to home buyers and are especially valu-able to those buyers who have never before purchased a home. Agents can help fi rst-time buyers navigate the often confusing and, at times, disappointing process of buying a home. Choose an agent who is established in the area where you want to buy a home. He or she can provide information about local prop-erty taxes and schools as well as a multitude of additional issues that fi rst-time buyers may not think of. Agents also know the lay of the land regarding home prices, which can ease fi rst-time buyers’ fears about overpaying for their fi rst homes.

A home is the biggest purchase many people will ever make. First-time buyers may be intimidated as they begin searching for their homes, but there are several ways to make the process go smoothly. TF15C696

Tips for fi rst-time home buyers


Documents

House & Home November 2015